Looking for a qaulity net, I'm thinking an 8'er would be good but not sure on the mesh size or weight...I'ld think heavier would be better. Any suggestions?

Are they legal in MA??? I thought they were illegal... not sure though.

Ive heard good things about both the CALUSA and Excalibur cast nets. You will probly want at least 1.5lbs pf to get down fast over quick baits like bunker. For mesh size, I would think bigger than 1" would be good.
That being said, I use a crappy 5 fter for the occaisonal live bait from shore.
When I get a boat going again, Ill be upgrading to something.

Are they legal in MA??? I thought they were illegal... not sure though.

I think in Buzzards Bay they are illegal.
Ask Pogie Stan, I think his are custom made.

I think in Buzzards Bay they are illegal.

Doesn't sound right that only buzzards bay, seen plenty guys do it last year,, mid morning and lots of traffic. I know gill netting pogies are illegal in mass.

Doesn't sound right that only buzzards bay, seen plenty guys do it last year,, mid morning and lots of traffic. I know gill netting pogies are illegal in mass.


Gill netting illegal ???

I have tried a bunch of cast nets...this is an area where you get what you pay for. Go for the CALUSA or Cracker nets. I have a couple of the calusa nets and once you get one you will smile as there is a H U G E difference between the cheap nets you get in most shops and a calusa. The quality is top notch and you will have this net the rest of your life.
I have never tried to cast full grown pogies (have not seen them that often) but with this net I honestly had 200#+ of baby pogies in there... in one cast, it was pulling the boat around. I could not pull the sucker on board. I opened it up and spilled out at least half of them and then filled up my live well with the rest. (made lots of chum) I have a photo of this someplace I will try and find it.

I think the regs that pertain to gill netting. cast nets are OK as far as I know, there may be some limit on square feet but it is reasonable. You want a net that sinks fast. Look for the #/linear foot. Also only use a small mesh on tiny bait in shallow water. if you are in deep water you need a bigger mesh. Calusa has an excellent video too.

Tough to beat a Calusa.I had a twelve ftr I trew a perfect banana wit it.Traded it for a more managble 10 fter.The calusa'a are the top of the line hand sewed Light line for better sink rates..The crackers Are made by the same company a little less expensive.Like someone said 1.5 lbs per ft.an 1" inch mesh.U want em to get down fast them bunkies got a pretty quick motor.

The'll pen up pretty good too.u get a pen of 6 ft or better in diameter with the generally cooler water up there they will suprise u how long they will last.U can't imagine what u can draw from the bottom with a live bunker.It's the # one Big Bass bait bar none.Bunker laugh at eels..

Nice thing about this site is you can learn so much real quick. Thanks for the great post on nets Sandman.

Here is a link to the regs. It list a bunch of inshore areas where netting is prohibited without a permit, however it seems that is for commercial purposes only not recs. Recs are ok as long as a net under 200' sqare is used, and it says nothing about gill or cast specifically. I would read the regs in case I missed anything , I have been working allday ya know..:sleeps:
Sorry Click on section 4.00 it's all in there...

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/commercialfishing/cmr_index.htm#frame

As usual I don,t know brand names // but the one I have works good /better with a M-80 kick // Gill nets /man what a pain // I got em but don,t use em ...

I cast net alot of bunker all spring...My favorite nets are Calusa, I have a 8ft, 10ft, and 12ft. I believe the nets I have are 1.7lbs per foot. I got the mullet nets which are more durable and sink fast in the 8ft and 12ft models. They are 1.5" mess, sink really fast. Those are the nets I use at night. Ive even had bass up to 35lbs in the cast net along with fluke, weakfish, bluefish, flounder and anything else that swims. After getting all that in a net it anly had a handfull of tears. The mullet nets are very durable because they use a much heavier mono, 28lbs I believe, and they are about half the price of the "Pogie" nets. No for day time I do use a 10ft Calusa "Pogie" Net. The seem to be very net shy once the sun comes up....

Heres a few hundred Pogies in the Contender Fish Box!

A few Hundred Pogies in the Contender Fish Box...

Let me tell you, its a sight to see Cowhunter pulling 30-40+ adult sized bunker over the side, per haul. :soon:

CH, are you gonna be doing charters in the RB this spring?
If ya need a bunker buddy, Im there :boots:

moooo:nailem: whats up

Thanks for the help guys

Hey Tony!

Chris, Yes I am, April and May...By the way, I gotta get that rod out to you...

Nice! Let me know when you start catching those MONSTER weakfish again :thanks:

Why don't we make it a threesome?
It would be good to meet both of u guys.

Anyone ever used a cast net for sand eels? On a rare occasion when I have found live ones on the beach they are phenomenal bait. With some of the large schools of larger sand eels off of Race Point I've wondered if they would be catchable in a cast net. Obviously the mesh would need to be pretty tight...

Anyone ever used a cast net for sand eels? On a rare occasion when I have found live ones on the beach they are phenomenal bait. With some of the large schools of larger sand eels off of Race Point I've wondered if they would be catchable in a cast net. Obviously the mesh would need to be pretty tight...
who knows? try it!!